We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Age-associated mortality in immune challenged mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) correlates with a decrease in haemocyte numbers.
- Authors
Hillyer, Julián F.; Schmidt, Shelley L.; Fuchs, Jeremy F.; Boyle, Jon P.; Christensen, Bruce M.
- Abstract
Mosquitoes vector pathogens. One aspect that has been overlooked in mosquito–pathogen relationships is the effect of host age on immune competence. Here, we show that there is age-associated mortality following immune challenge withEscherichia coli. This mortality correlates with a decrease in haemocyte numbers (blood cells) and a decreased ability to killE. coli. Although the number of haemocytes decreases, the available haemocytes retain their phagocytic ability regardless of age, and we estimate that individual granulocytes can phagocytose approximately 1500E. coli. Moreover, transcription profiles for cecropin, defensin and gambicin inE. colichallenged mosquitoes do not change with age, indicating that the increased susceptibility is not attributed to fewer humoral antimicrobial peptides. These results suggest that a contributing factor for the age-associated mortality is the decrease in circulating haemocytes, which reduces the overall phagocytic capacity of mosquitoes. To our knowledge, this is the first report detailing an age-associated decline in the immunological capabilities of mosquitoes following challenge with an infectious agent. These data also call for caution in the analysis and interpretation of experimental results when mosquito age has not been closely monitored. Lastly, a model for haemocyte function is presented.
- Subjects
AEDES aegypti; BLOOD cells; PATHOGENIC microorganisms; LEUCOCYTES; GRANULOCYTES; MOSQUITOES
- Publication
Cellular Microbiology, 2005, Vol 7, Issue 1, p39
- ISSN
1462-5814
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1462-5822.2004.00430.x